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Victoria Falls auctioneer convicted of fraud over Zimra vehicles
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A Victoria Falls auctioneer, his company, and their accountant have been convicted of fraud after illegally selling vehicles belonging to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). Jeffrey Mubaiwa, the director of JEFFM Auctioneers, faced two counts of fraud, while the company and its accountant, Vongai Hlerema, also faced two counts each. The trio was convicted after appearing before Victoria Falls magistrate Gift Manyika.
The fraudulent activities occurred between 2021 and 2022 and involved selling vehicles outside Zimra's official public auctions and pocketing the proceeds. Prosecutor Portia Moyo detailed how Mubaiwa, in October 2021, conducted a public auction at Kazungula Border Post where a 2003 MG Rover was falsely recorded as unsold. Mubaiwa subsequently issued a fraudulent invoice to Zimra, claiming the vehicle had been sold during the auction for US$2,863. Investigations later revealed that the car had been sold privately to Nomore Hlabano of Gweru, from whom it was eventually recovered.
In a similar case in April 2022, a Land Rover Discovery 3 was listed as unsold during another JEFFM Auctioneers event. Mubaiwa later sold the vehicle privately to Terrence Mutandwa, who was unable to take possession of it after Zimra discovered discrepancies in the paperwork. This act of fraud resulted in a loss of US$9,794 for Zimra.
JEFFM Auctioneers was fined US$700 for the first count and US$500 for the second count, or the equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars at the prevailing interbank rate. In default of payment, the court allowed for property attachment.
Mubaiwa received a similar penalty for the first count, being fined US$700 or facing six months' imprisonment in default of payment. An additional 10 months' imprisonment was wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behavior. For the second count, he was fined US$500, with another six months' imprisonment in default and a further 10 months suspended under the same conditions.
Hlerema was fined US$500 for the first count and also faced six months' imprisonment in default of payment. Like Mubaiwa, she received 10 months' imprisonment wholly suspended for five years, contingent on maintaining good behavior.
The trio was ordered to pay their fines by December 31, 2024.
The fraudulent scheme was uncovered during Zimra's reconciliation process, which flagged discrepancies involving vehicles listed as unsold but later found to have been sold privately. A police investigation confirmed the illegal activities, leading to the arrest and subsequent convictions of Mubaiwa, his company, and Hlerema. This case underscores ongoing efforts by Zimra and law enforcement to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the handling of public assets.
The fraudulent activities occurred between 2021 and 2022 and involved selling vehicles outside Zimra's official public auctions and pocketing the proceeds. Prosecutor Portia Moyo detailed how Mubaiwa, in October 2021, conducted a public auction at Kazungula Border Post where a 2003 MG Rover was falsely recorded as unsold. Mubaiwa subsequently issued a fraudulent invoice to Zimra, claiming the vehicle had been sold during the auction for US$2,863. Investigations later revealed that the car had been sold privately to Nomore Hlabano of Gweru, from whom it was eventually recovered.
In a similar case in April 2022, a Land Rover Discovery 3 was listed as unsold during another JEFFM Auctioneers event. Mubaiwa later sold the vehicle privately to Terrence Mutandwa, who was unable to take possession of it after Zimra discovered discrepancies in the paperwork. This act of fraud resulted in a loss of US$9,794 for Zimra.
JEFFM Auctioneers was fined US$700 for the first count and US$500 for the second count, or the equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars at the prevailing interbank rate. In default of payment, the court allowed for property attachment.
Hlerema was fined US$500 for the first count and also faced six months' imprisonment in default of payment. Like Mubaiwa, she received 10 months' imprisonment wholly suspended for five years, contingent on maintaining good behavior.
The trio was ordered to pay their fines by December 31, 2024.
The fraudulent scheme was uncovered during Zimra's reconciliation process, which flagged discrepancies involving vehicles listed as unsold but later found to have been sold privately. A police investigation confirmed the illegal activities, leading to the arrest and subsequent convictions of Mubaiwa, his company, and Hlerema. This case underscores ongoing efforts by Zimra and law enforcement to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the handling of public assets.
Source - the chronicle
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